Frances Hynes: Constellations at Hudson River Museum
In possibly the perfect art exhibit to place around a planetarium, the Hudson River Museum in New York is currently displaying Frances Hynes: Constellations until 14th February 2021.
Constellation Series #3 (House/Window with Northern Cross and Milky Way)
compressed charcoal and pastel on paper, 1986
The Welter of shapes, lines, and streaks that fills this image is reminiscent of the sometimes confusing spectacle that happens on a dark, clear night when the sky is filled with so many stars that constellations can be difficult to discern.
In this image, the Milky Way runs roughly from upper left to lower right across the drawing, with the Northern Cross stretching part-way along its length.
Hynes fell in love with the starts when she was a child, she loved sitting out at night with a torch looking at the constellations.
“I am most interested in capturing a feeling of skyscape... rather than an accurate image. I’m interested in the beauty and power of nature to overwhelm, mystify, and transport us to another place.”
Constellation Series #16 (Meteor Shower and Planet)
compressed charcoal and pastel on paper, 1986
Inspired by the temporary greenish-white trails left by meteors, Hynes’ energetic and colourful marks create a sweeping, firework-like display. The arc across the lower part of the image could be read as the horizon of the planet Earth, or the edge of its atmosphere, with the meteors incinerating long before striking the ground.
Taking her inspiration from Star Stories by Gertrude Chandler Warner, the book that she read during her childhood. Although the constellations Hynes paints aren’t always entirely accurate, you are able to identify which stars she is referencing and they are connected in the traditional style.
Constellation Series #6 (Big Dipper and Green Hills)
compressed charcoal and pastel on paper, 1986
This is one of Hynes’ only drawings with landscape forms, which represent “a memory of the rolling hills of the Hudson Valley.” In 1980, she was a resident artist at Millay Colony, New York. Six years later Hynes created this impression of a night outdoors in the open countryside there. The orientation of the Big Dipper above these north-western hills is the position it takes at dusk in late summer.
Compressed charcoal gives Hynes the extremely black, velvety look she wants for a night sky. She then creates an atmospheric and muted look by including architectural lines which she likens to transparent houses and barns. Superimposing these see-through buildings with the lines of the sky. Hynes wonders if she is inside looking out or outside looking in.
Constellation Series #7 (with Hercules)
compressed charcoal and pastel on paper, 1986
Beginning with a pencil sketch of star positions, Hynes uses charcoal to fill in the night sky, leaving white paper to shine through as the stars and their implied lines of connection. Hynes completed the drawings in her Long Island City studio, guided by her memories, sketches and star maps.
Hudson River Museum, 511 Warburton Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10701. See their website for more information and to book a time to visit.